Are you in the hustle and bustle of the holidays already? I certainly am, but I love holiday entertaining! Trust me, entertaining this time of year can be fun and easy. I am very excited to share this recipe for Warm Kale Bacon Dip just in time for your holiday gatherings. It’s my family’s favorite appetizer as it uses a few of our most loved ingredients such as kale, Borden and Sargento cheese, Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt and Bays English Muffins. What I really love about this recipe is its simplicity by using high-quality brands of shredded cheeses along with healthy ingredients such as Greek yogurt and kale. Friends ask me all the time for my top stress-free cooking tip and I usually tell them to keep it simple. Use your favorite ingredients and stop by the dairy and/or freezer section to make your life even easier. You can find so many items in these sections of the grocery store, which make cooking more economical, convenient and your recipes taste even better.

For this dip recipe, start by roasting the kale with a touch of olive oil until it is slightly wilted and crispy. Then, add to the cheeses and yogurt, stirring well. Complete this by topping with crumbled bacon. If you’re not a bacon fan, you may omit this step. I used Bays English Muffins from the dairy section, which are a perfect accompaniment to this warm cheesy dip with their great texture and flavor.

Besides being tasty, this holiday appetizer is healthy too! It is filled with calcium, one of the body’s most important minerals for strong healthy bones, as well as active cultures in the Greek yogurt, which adds more protein to this appetizer while also aiding in digestion and boosting the immune system (we all need this during the cold winter months). Kale is another fabulous, healthy ingredient addition, known as a super-food with vitamins and minerals.

For more great recipes using frozen and refrigerated foods see Easy Home Meals.

This post is sponsored by National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association and Easy Home Meals, but all opinions are my own.

If you’re like me, you can never have enough recipes as the holidays near. Dips and salsas are perfect for getting a party off to a great start. This Feta and Roasted Red Pepper Dip recipe is only 3 ingredients. If you have the ingredients on hand, this tasty dip can be ready to serve in about 5 minutes. Serve it with crudités, crackers or pumpernickel rounds for an elegant appetizer. Tip: Use creamy feta cheese. The lower-fat versions produce a drier dip. If your results seem dry, add 1 teaspoon or so of extra virgin olive oil and pulse.

This recipe comes from 150 Best Dips & Salsas from my cookbook publisher Robert Rose. Most of the dips and salsas in this book can be prepared ahead of time, are simple, and are made from the freshest ingredients. They cater to different tastes, dietary preferences, including vegetarians (such as this recipe). This book is the ultimate party dip and salsa resource! Enjoy this appetizer recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any holiday or weeknight parties.

Instead of buying jarred salsa, you can easily make your own with this recipe for Best Salsa Ever. In only 20 minutes, you’ll have amazing fresh salsa. This is perfect to make this weekend for the Final Four, for spring entertaining or for weeknights to jazz up your kid’s tacos and quesadillas. Tomatoes are one of the most healthy foods, high in antioxidants, support bone health, have anti cancer benefits and more. One serving of ripe, red tomatoes is a good source of Vitamins A, C, K, folate and potassium. Tomatoes are also low in sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. Tomatoes also provide fiber, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus and copper. Enjoy and stay healthy!

Yay, it’s October, so let’s get cooking with pumpkin! Pumpkin is one of the most nutritious fruits, packed with disease-fighting nutrients such as alpha and beta-carotene, fiber, Vitamins C and E, potassium and magnesium. The carotenes found in pumpkin are potent with antioxidants, which promote healthy vision, ensures proper immune function and slows the aging process. My three kids love this dip as much as adults so you may want to make extra. Serve it with apples, pears, gingersnaps or graham crackers for an appetizer or healthy snack. It’s always perfect to make during Thanksgiving or Christmas too!

If you’re looking for a super easy appetizer for New Year’s Eve, Super Bowl Party or just any occasion, I have one for you. This Chipotle Chicken Dip is one of my newest favorite lightened up appetizer recipes. Take a shortcut by using a rotisserie chicken and add light cream cheese, nonfat Greek yogurt, green chilies, chipotle seasoning. Serve it with your favorite whole grain crackers, pita chips or fresh vegetables, and you’ll have a crowd favorite.

A lot of my newly married couples and friends have been asking me for Easter brunch recipe ideas. I had to do some thinking because I was trying to come up with a really light, delicious easy recipe that would work for a Easter brunch, lunch or dinner. I also wanted a recipe that would work for Passover. I love smoked salmon so I thought this would be a perfect fit. It’s so quick, delicious and light. I served it as my appetizer for my dinner last night, and it was a major hit.